Federal HST 38 Special

I do carry the most effective ammo I can. I make them myself using either a Mihec 359640 mold

or the Mihec 358429 mold, and basically duplicate the FBI load.

Both are hollowpoints, weigh 158 - 160 grains and are cast using a high tin/low antimony alloy that ensures expansion at +P velocities of ~900fps. My shooting is typically done double-action at 10 yards at a 6" steel plate. At $.05 - $.06 per round, I can afford to shoot often, and with handgun shooting I find it helpful to maintain your skill thru regular practice.

Don

SteadyD said:

What barrel length revolver are you carrying them in? The FBI load from a snub didn't perform particularly well in the Lucky Gunner test. Have you tested them for expansion? Are you worried about the ramifications, if any, of carrying SD ammo you've made yourself?

Click to expand...

My CCW is a Model 19 with a 2.5 inch barrel. Regarding the Lucky Gunner test, he didn't use my bullets or loads, so that is pretty much meaningless. Expansion testing will be done this summer. Since I determine the alloy used based on the velocity, I am not worried in the least. Regarding "ramifications", there is no known case that I am aware of where someone has been prosecuted strictly/solely on the basis that he or she did not use store bought ammo.

Don

I bought a box of the new HSTs at Walmart for $24. Chrono today was 800 FPS average out of my Model 36 Smith 2". Speer 135 +P Short Barrel was 814 FPS.

SteadyD said:

Midway is taking pre orders for the Federal HST 38 special and according to their site they expect them in tomorrow (though they are sometimes wrong on their expected in stock dates). I've got a few boxes back ordered, but was wondering if anyone has yet to try this round?

I'm looking forward to seeing some tests in gel. It's a shame it didn't make it into Lucky Gunner's recent tests.

Click to expand...

I started using HST Micro in my G26 soon after AARP sent me their application. Love the stuff which I now affectionately call "Senior Citizen Load" and very sensible load it is!

SteadyD said:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...f-handloads-in-self-defense-shootings.821474/

This stickied thread brought up enough points to make me think handloads aren't a good idea. I'll also be curious to see if your bullets perform up to your expectations. At any rate, many people don't handload, so regardless of cost they want an effective round that meets objective criteria.

Click to expand...

I would say they more than met my expectations. The bullet in the middle was fired at 845fps and the bullet at the right at 945fps, both out of my 2.5 inch Model 19.



Don

USSR said:

I would say they more than met my expectations. The bullet in the middle was fired at 845fps and the bullet at the right at 945fps, both out of my 2.5 inch Model 19.

View attachment 761584

Don

Click to expand...

Very nice. What was your testing medium? I will be reloading soon and like the looks of those bullets.

Water soaked newsprint. Found it to be much better than just water. I put the newspaper into an orange crate that has a large opening cut into the front and back end. Then I place it into one of those large plastic storage/tote boxes like they sell at Walmart and fill it with water. After a couple of hours I lift it out and shoot into the opening of the orange crate. If you want to get expansion like I get at snubnose velocities, you've got to keep your antimony content down and you tin content high. The alloy I use is 96.5 Pb/3.0 Sn/0.5 Sb.

Don

tagging in to get updates

I worked with the HST through a Colt DS.

Chronoed fairly consistently a shade over 800 FPS.
Recoil mild.

Accuracy at 25 yards off a rest more than passable for defensive purposes.

In a row of one-gallon plastic water jugs, disintegrated the first, perforated the second, and penetrated the third far enough to make a dent in the back wall.
Bullet recovered in third jug, perfectly mushroomed, fully intact, no fragmentation whatever, after travelling through 18 inches of water.

The bullet is seated deep to maintain a consistent powder position at the primer flash, for consistent ignition & consistent velocities regardless of muzzle angle.

I would not hesitate in the slightest to carry the load in any of my .38 snubs.
Denis